United Nations ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 18 September 2015
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United Nations ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 18 September 2015 Original: English Economic Commission for Europe Inland Transport Committee Working Party on Intermodal Transport and Logistics Fifty-eighth session Geneva, 30 November–1 December 2015 Item 14 of the provisional agenda National policy measures to promote intermodal transport National Intermodal Policies Submitted by the Governments of Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Romania I. Mandate 1. In accordance with the decision of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC), the Working Party on Intermodal Transport and Logistics continued the work carried out by the former European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) in (a) monitoring and analysing national measures to promote intermodal transport and (b) monitoring enforcement and review of the ECMT Consolidated Resolution on Combined Transport (ECE/TRANS/192, para. 90). 2. The Working Party decided at its fifty-sixth session to continue ensuring that the information was kept up-to-date and requested that the questionnaire be re-sent to member States in 2015. The secretariat updated the survey and sent it to stakeholders in the first half of 2015. The remainder of this document sets out the responses received from Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and Romania. 3. Following a review of the 2015 information at the present session of the Working Party, the secretariat will upload this information onto the WP.24 web site: http://apps.unece.org/NatPolWP24. GE.15- ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 II. Questionnaire on national policy measures to promote intermodal transport A. Austria Objectives and issues1 Explanations 1 Importance of intermodal transport in national In the framework of the Austrian transport policy, transport policy combined transport is considered to be of central importance for solving present and future problems with regard to freight transport by road caused by Austria’s geographical and topographical situation. Due to increased traffic flows both within and through Austria, in particular on roads, Austria has introduced early measures for the support of environment-friendly modes, such as rail or combined transport. 2 National and international bodies 2.1 Take measures to improve national policy Austrian experts of the Federal Ministry for Transport, coordination (environment, land use, transport) Innovation and Technology actively participate in numerous national policy coordination working groups in the field of environment and land use, also dealing with, among others, measures for the promotion of combined transport. These are, e.g. the ongoing works in the area of the Alpine Convention, the Austrian Conference on Spatial Planning, the National Committee on Climate, the Austrian Committee on Sustainable Development and the national Task-Forces for the elaboration of mid- and long-term infrastructure concepts considering all land transport modes. 2.2 Take measures to improve international policy Corresponding to the answer above the Austrian coordination (environment, land use, transport) transport experts also attach the highest importance to articulate national interests in the field of international coordination bodies. These are, e.g. also the current activities within the Transport Group in the context of the Alpine Convention, ongoing works in the different Transport and Environment expert groups of the European Commission, the further elaboration of the European Union Sustainable Development Strategy, the work of the bodies considering questions to guarantee the fulfillment of the commitments arising from the Kyoto-Protocol as well as with respect to all works and duties considering the climate- and energy package 2020 of the EU, in particular concerning the EU-effort- sharing decision in the field of land transport. 1 For a detailed description of the issues and objectives stipulated in the ECMT Consolidated Resolution refer to ECMT document CEMT/CM(2002)3/FINAL. The objectives and issues contained in the Resolution have been consolidated by the secretariat (for example, the issues of “fair competition” and “transparent and competitive pricing” is mentioned in several indents in the ECMT Resolution). 2 ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 Objectives and issues1 Explanations Austria is actively involved in the establishment of three rail freight corridors according to Regulation (EU) 913/2010 which address intermodal transport through explicit consideration of terminals (rail, road, maritime and inland ports). Austria cooperates with its neighbouring countries in the implementation of the TEN-T Core Network Corridors, focusing firmly on intermodality issues. 3 Costs and prices 3.1 Establish fair competition between modes A precondition for establishing fair competition between modes is the elaboration and introduction of fair and efficient pricing schemes. That means prices have to consider the use of resources and should also reflect all external costs. The latest amendment of Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (Directive 2011/76/EU 2006/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council 27 September 2011) allows the internalization of external air and noise pollution costs of road transport for the first time. Therefore Austria has started the internal assessment procedure for the draft of an amendment of the Federal Road Toll Act that will provide regulations for charging the costs of traffic based air and noise pollution of heavy goods vehicles. 3.2 Develop cheaper and more efficient interfaces (see section 10) between modes of transport 4 Networks, terminals and logistics centres 4.0 General Overview 4.1 Implement international standards (e.g. AGTC Generally speaking, Austria has implemented Agreement and its Protocol on inland international standards. Austria has ratified and waterways) implemented the AGTC Agreement (22 July 1993) and has signed, but not yet ratified, the AGTC Protocol on inland waterways (13 November 1997). According to § 42 of the Austrian Federal Railways Act, the Republic of Austria supports the planning and building of rail infrastructure. 4.2 Integrate terminal planning into national, Integrated terminal network-programme in accordance regional or cross-border transport and land-use with infrastructure managers. Procedures for an planning integrated terminal planning in the eastern part of Austria are ongoing and are promoted by the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and the provinces of this region. One example is the almost finished enlargement of the tri-modal terminal in the port of Vienna. Also a new terminal in Inzersdorf will start operation by the end of 2016. 3 ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 Objectives and issues1 Explanations 4.3 Take administrative measures to improve For regulatory measures to improve terminal access, see terminal access sections 7.1 and 7.2. 4.4 Take administrative measures to improve Extended opening hours in terminals for unaccompanied terminal operations and facilities transport (e.g. Wels 6x24h). 6/7x24h opening hours in terminals for accompanied “Rolling road (RoLA)” transport (Wels, Wörgl, Brenner). Realisation of gateway concepts. 5 Interoperability 5.1 Ensure compatibility of railway information Austria is increasing its network interoperability and signalling systems according to European Standards. In particular, Austria is firmly committed to introduce the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) according to Decision 2012/88/EU and on the basis of a national deployment plan. Austria already operates 420 km of ERTMS lines in L1 and L2 and is planning to further increase this number especially along core network corridors of European Union. 5.2 Introduce electronic information systems Austria has introduced the “train drivers’ training” which allows them to cross the borders. Austria has implemented River Information Services (RIS) according to Directive 2005/44/EC. 5.3 Other measures No special remarks 6 Financial and fiscal support measures 6.1 Financial support for investments (installations, Austria provides financial support for the purchase of rolling stock, systems, etc.) transport equipment, the implementation of innovative and new technologies as well as feasibility studies in connection with implementing measures. The “innovation programme for combined freight transport”, from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2014, contained substantial financial measures for the promotion of combined transport in Austria. It supported investments in installations, systems and mobile equipment necessary for the transport or handling of goods in combined transport. The prolongation of the programme is in preparation. Austria also provides financial support for investments in terminals, regarding construction, enlargement and modernization of transhipment points. A “programme for supporting the development of connecting railways and transfer terminals 2013–2017” has been in force since 1 January 2013 and will end on 31 December 2017. Investments in installations and constructions which are exclusively used for the transhipment of goods are eligible for public funding. 4 ECE/TRANS/WP.24/2015/3 Objectives and issues1 Explanations 6.2 Financial support for operations The Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation (specific, initial operations, etc.) and Technology (BMVIT) supports combined transport operations (as well as single wagon traffic) of railway undertakings to secure a high-quality offer of rail freight transport. In this context,